Weight gain divides MotoGP manufacturers

MotoGP News
Date: 7/March/2012

There may only be three manufacturers still competing in the MotoGP World Champion, but they still failed to reach unanimous agreement over a late minimum weight change for 2012.

The Manufacturers association, the MSMA, can block any technical changes proposed within MotoGP’s Grand Prix Commission - provided its members are in unanimous opposition.

But when Dorna and teams’ association IRTA proposed to raise the 2012 minimum weight in late 2011 the MSMA opposition was not unanimous - allowing the other parties to push the rule through.

This left Honda and Yamaha furious, since they have now been forced to add 4 kg of ballast to their 2012 bikes.

Honda Racing Corporation Executive Vice President Shuhei Nakamoto said: “I was so disappointed about this rule change. We did the test at Valencia in November and then suddenly the regulation changed. It’s not fair.”

Yamaha’s Motorsport Manager Masahiko Nakajima used even stronger language: “Personally I am so frustrated about the GP Commission decision. Because to change the weight in December. Impossible!

“We had already made all the assembly parts and some spare parts. Then they changed 4 kilos! If we have one year lead time we can prepare. For example in braking performance, one kilo less is a big difference, so 4 kilos you can imagine!”

The reaction of the normally reserved Japanese indicates that it must have been Ducati that refused to tow the MSMA line.

The Italian factory, running late with its 2012 design, has dismissed suggestions that it has gained an advantage from the last-minute weight amendment - but does admit to being in favour of the weight gain from a cost-cutting perspective.

Ducati Corse general manager Filippo Preziosi said: “We were open to that solution because we think that the minimum weight is one easy way to decrease cost. So where you have titanium bolts, you could put steel bolts.

“The technology interest and show of the championship is not affected by the material of the bolts. The same goes for the exhausts and things like that. The easiest way to have a cheaper bike is to increase the minimum weight.”

Honda and Yamaha are still experimenting with where to locate the extra weight, which can have a profound effect on handling. Nevertheless, the Japanese machines have dominated the top end of the timesheets during the opening two tests of 2012.

MotoGP minimum weight will rise by a further 3kg, to 160kg, for the 2013 season.